When in the womb, your baby can already hear surrounding sounds and sense their mother’s emotions.
Soon after birth, the baby begins to communicate with its parents. You exchange glances, respond to each other’s expressions, and feel each other’s touch.”
Positive early interaction with your baby will support their development and mental wellbeing in the years to come. A secure parent-child relationship lays the foundation for the baby’s sense of security, good self-esteem, self-image and empathy. Furthermore, through interaction, the child learns to trust their environment and understand social cues.
You can help build a secure bond by meeting your baby’s needs. When your baby expresses hunger, a need to be held, interest in a toy or tiredness, provide them with what they need.
You will not always have the time or ability to respond to your baby’s needs in every given moment. In such cases, it is important to offer comfort through holding the baby or speaking softly. Restoring the baby’s sense of security is key to building a safe attachment and bond.
Support your baby’s interaction development
- Focus on your baby and your interaction when spending time together. Face your baby and maintain eye contact.
- Hold your baby, stroke them gently and be physically present.
- React and respond sensitively to your baby’s movements, sounds and expressions.
- Acknowledge your baby’s feelings and share them: when your baby feels bad, comfort and help them; when your baby is happy, rejoice together.
- Take turns and give your baby time to respond and act.
- Encourage interaction through your gaze, chatting, nursery rhymes, songs. Use playful sounds, gestures and facial expressions with the baby.
- Slow down, pause and repeat your speech, and use simple expressions when talking.
- Imitate your baby’s gestures, facial expressions and sounds, and encourage them to imitate you.
- Create a clear daily rhythm so your baby can anticipate what’s coming next.
You can also interact with your baby in the company of others – how about attending a music playschool or baby swimming classes, for example?
Challenges in the development of interaction
If you are finding it difficult to establish a connection with your baby, e.g. because of your own wellbeing or the baby not showing interest, bring the issue up soon at the maternity and child health clinic or in social counselling for families with children.
If your baby does not make eye contact, does not express themself, appears absent or is often irritable and unhappy, there may be underlying problems with interaction development. We will investigate the situation and refer you to the appropriate service.
We can help you develop a maternal bond through services such as therapeutic work for families with infants.
The baby and digital devices
Your baby’s social and language skills will develop through face-to-face interaction. Babies learn different skills best by doing things themselves and following the example of others.
Because of this, it is not recommended for under 2-year-olds to use smart devices at all. Excessive screen time can even harm your baby’s development.
Also, be aware of your own use of smart devices: do they take up your time and attention at the expense of your baby? Your presence is particularly important for your child. The baby interacts with you by making noises and eye contact. You should respond to the baby’s initiatives.
Also, make sure that your family’s media use does not disturb your baby’s sleep.
